Aircraft, especially aircraft of the direct lift amphiblan type and means of constructing and operating the same



March's, 1932. sq o s Y 1,848,389

AIRCRAFT, ESPECIALLY AIRCRAFT OF THE DIRECT LIFT AMPHIBIAN TYPE AND MEANS OF GONSTRUCTING AND OPERATING THE SAME 0riginal Filed Feb. 14, 1929 a' Sheets-Shet 1' ATTORNEY March 8, 1932. s o s y 1,848,389

AIRCRAFT, ESPECIALLY AIRCRAFT OF THE DIRECT LIFT AMPHIBIAN TYPE AND MEANS OF CONSTRUCTING AND OPERATING THE SAME Original Filed Feb. 14, 1929 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTO EYS.

Mal-c118, 1932. s c s y 1,848,389

'AIRGRAFgI', ESPECIALLY AIRCRAFT OF THE DIRECT LIFT AMPHIBIAN TYPE AND MEANS OF OONSTRUCTING AND OPERATING THE SAME Original Filed Feb. 14, 1929 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 8, 1932. Q 5 1,848,389

AIRCRAFT, ESPECIALLY AIRCRAFT OF THE DIRECT LIFT AMPHIBIAN TYPE AND MEANS OF CONSTRUCTING AND OPERATING THE ,SAME

Original Ffiled Feb. 14, 1929 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 lHl 7/ x HW WHHHHHHWHH 0%,

AIRGRAFTj ESPECIALLY AIRCRAFT OF THE DIRECT LIFT AMPHIBIAN TYPE AND MEANS OF CONSTRUCTING AND OPERATING THE SAME Original Filed Feb. 14, 1929 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 v March 8, 1932. s Y 1,848,389

JJJJJ March 8, 1932. 1,848,389

ESPECIALLY AIRCRAFT OF THHDIRECT LIFT AMPH'IBIAN I. SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT,

TYPE AND MEANS OF CONSTRUCTING AND OPERATING THE SAME 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed Feb. 14, 1929 NTOR ATTORNE J W. M f m 1,848,389 T LIFT AMPHIBIAN NG AND OPERATING THE SAME Feb. 14, 1929 March 8, 1932. SIKORSKY AIHCRAF'i, ESPECIALLY AIRCRAFT OF THE DIREC TYPE AND MEANS OF CONSTRUCTI Original Filed 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 I NV ATTORNEY "March 8, 1932. I f s o s 1,848,389

- AIRCRAFT, ESPECIALLY AIRCRAFT OF THE DIRECT LIFT AMPHIBIAN TYPE AND MEANS OF CONSTRUCTING AND OPERATING THE SAME Original Filed Feb. 14, 1929 '8 Sheets-Sheet 8 I Patented Mart 8, 1932 UNITE STATES PATENT orr cr.

' Icon. smonsxr, or incnons, some, ASSIGNOB r srxoasxr nvu'rron con.-

romrron, or wnmcron, nmsnwnan, n ,conromrron or nnmwnan smcanrr, mm: mcmrr or ran nmncr mr rrru .um mums or consmucrmc Ann ornaume ran sum J Application fled Tehran-r15, 1938; Serial 80. 889,784. Renewed Kay 26, 1831.

The present invention relates broadlg- It also has to do with the position, form and and details of fixed, movable and adjust arrangement of the various. parts of direct lift aircraft'structures, as well as" the form, arrangement, relative posltion, mterrelatlon --able fixtures contained in or forming a part of direct lift aerial vehicles, the relation of:

- the 'multimotor, land-water-air type, capable said fixtures tov each other. as well as their relation to other structural elements in said aerialvehicle's.

The invention further pertains espec ally 2 to various combinations of any or all of said above improvements, their application to, or their use on, m, or in connect on wlth mdiv'idual heaviersthan-air aircraft umts of of navigating with equal facility on land, water or in the air. 1

Where the term aircraft is used in the present application it includes any aerial vehicle capable of navigat' through the air. The invention, has apphcation to aircraft of the heavier-than air, lighter-thaw air or comhination type.

The term, heavier-than-air aircraft .unit of the'multim'otor, land-water-alr type designates a form of aircraft sometimes known as a multimotor amphibian. 3 In one of its aspects the invention has-to do specifically with an amplibian provided with a directlift'propeller and a plurality of horizontally acting pro ellers, all of the p ro pellers being reactionriven, that is, being rotatable under the reactive force' of a fluid medium under ressure discharged through orifices in their lades toward the following ed s. I

s janother'feature of the invention an ich are form of the present invention has particular reference to this type of machine, since by the substitution ofsmall transfer boxes for fluid under pressure in place of the usual engine tnacelles, the resistance is greatly reduced with proportionate benefit to the flying characteristics of the machine.

As has been indicated above, in the preferred embodiment of my invention, a single direct lift (propeller of, large blade area iseinployed an a plurality of horizontally acting propellers are arranged in symmetricall orizontally spaced relation to the direct Ii propeller. Thus by appropriate throttlingv of the horizontally acting propellers, the torque of the direct lift propeller may be effectively compensated. L The blades of the pro ellers are provided with orifices adjacent iiheir trailing edges and with orifices adjacent their leading edges discharging toward the trailingted s across their negative or de ression sides. e fluid under pressure disc arged through the first mentioned orifices i arts rotation to' the ,propellers in which. e ect the pressure medium discharged throu h the other set of "orifices partic ates, alt ough this latteris of greater in mamas p m g a lifting function. s

The medium used maybe air or air with other gases such as the exhaust gases "of internal combustion engines used to drive; the air pump. However, I donot limit my self with res 'ect to the nature of the d medium whic may be any such as may'jhej convenient and practicable.

' According to one phaseof the invention, the air' which is to be supplied to the reaction ropellers is first of all mechanically place under pressure by means of'a positive hereinafter described.

In addition to the-mechanical advantages obtained by thus expanding the air, the discharged air serves the purpose of preventing, to a large extent, the formation of ice on the aircraft members. 7

An embodiment of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an amphibian con structed in accordance with the present invention. a I v Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the amphibian. r Fig. 3 is a side'elevation of the amphibian.

Fig. 4 is an isometric am hibian.

ig. 5 is an enlarged view in'front elevation of the central portion of the amphibian. Fig. 6 is a section on the line 66 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is an elevation of a propeller back, partly insection.

Fig.8 is a section on. line 88 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is an'enlarged elevation of a portion of the propeller shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a section on line 10-l0 of Fi 7.

perspective of the Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the prope ler boss.

' Fig. 12 is a-longitudinal section through a transfer box forthefluid pressure medium.

' Fig 13 is a partial section along line 13-13' of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a. partial section along line 14 -14 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 15 isadiagram showing one form of arrangement of the units comprising the pro- 1 aip'd 10d. The rear Outriggers have hinged,

'18, and.

pulsion system. y

Fig. 16' is a section on line 16-16 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 17 is a diagram showing another ar-' ran ment of the units comprising. thepropulsion'systerm' Fig. 18 is a lan view of aportion of' the amphibian wit parts in section.

Fig. 19 is a section on line 19 --19 of Fig. 20 is a diagram shcwin ga inodified arrangement ofunits comprising the propul-' sion system;

Referring first to Figs. l-to, 4, 10 designates the body-boat of'anamphibiamwhile 12 des i ates streamlineoutriggers sprin glatery from the body-boat and j oine t ogether at their outer ends by means of members 100 ereto ailerons 10c and-10f, while floats-10g and 10h'are secured beneath the outer ends of the Outriggers. An aerofoil, 11-of relatively short. spanis disposed abo'vethe body-boat dium, which boxes in turn support shafts on which propellers 10s are mounted. Outriggers 10t spring rearwardly from plane 11 and support empennage assembly 101) at their outer ends. The. outrigger-s 10t have a direct connection with therear end of bodyboat 10 through struts 10w.

Landing wheels 15, Figs. 2 to 6, may be moved from the operative position shown to an inoperative position in which they lie in horizontal. planes immediately below outriggers 12.

Referring particularly to Figs. 5 and 6, it

y will be seen that the wheel axles 17 are sup ported on brackets 16 pivotally connected to the body 10'at points 17 formovement about normally substantially horizontal axes. outer ends of wheels 17 are pivotally connected to rods 18 guidedin tubular members 19 which are in turn pivoted-at their upper ends to the frame structure. Rods 18 are provided interiorly of tubular members19' with iston heads which are adapted to be suitably influenced to move the wheels from operative to inoperative position.

' According to the illustrated arran ement, hydraulic pressure is employed for t is motive function, the particular ffluid medium .preferabl being oil, glycerine or the like. A

supply 0 the pressure medium is contained in a tank 20 and a conduit 21 leads'from the tank to a pressure generating device 22 which is controlled by means of a lever 23. The lines to and from ressure generator 22 are indicated at 25 an lead to a distributor 24 disposed within convenient reach of the pilot in the pilots compartment: 30. Distributor [24 is connected to tubular members-19 by means of pipes -9a and 1%, the former dev-bouching intothetubular, members above the upper limit oftravel of ,the'Ipiston' heads asso- The ciated' with rodsl8, and the latter debouching into said memb ers bel ow the lower. limit of travel of the piston heads." Distributor 24 issuitably' provided withvalves so that fluid may be supplied atto one or both of conduits 19a or to-one or'both of conduits 196 so I that the wheels 15 raised or lowered; The fluid medium, in: addition 'to acting as an operating agent, has the function of serving. as, cushioningmeans when the machine is v landed on its wheels. I I

-- It will noted that the pilotscompartmay be correspondingly I ment 30 is "provided with two chairs 38 placed.

these being joined by an arcuate recess 75 sur-' side by side. Since the arrangement of this compartment and the control devices therein have been particularly described and claimed.

in my above named applications, it will sufiice here to state that the reference numerals 61 indicate the engine control levers, 33 indicates levers cooperating with segments '35 to adjust the seats to various heights and retain them in adjusted position, 62 indicates the stabilizer controls and indicates the aileron control member which has a pivoted extension 63 so supported that it maybe swung to bring wheel 60 in front of either chair 38.

In Fig. 7 a propeller 10s is shown comprising blades and 71 and boss 72. The leading edge of each blade isprovided with alongitudinal passage 73 and 74 respectively,

rounding the propeller hub 76. Each blade has also a longitudinall extending passage 77 and 78 respectively a jacent the following edge, these passages being connected by an arcu'ate recess 79 similar to 75. For a distance adjacent the blade tips, discharge orifices 80- and 8-1 are formed, which communicate with passages 78 and 74 respectively. As

. particularly shown in Fig. 8, the. propeller back is stepped downwardly toward its following edge, there being two steps determining respectively the position of orifices 81 and 80.- Referring to Fig.10, hub 76 is provided with an aperture 82 communicating with recess 79. Aperture 82 likewise reglsters with an aperture 83 formedin the wall of a hollow shaft 84 (see also Fig. 12) tothe end of which the-propeller hub iskeyed. Atube 85, Figs.

10 and 12, is supported concentrically of the bore 84' of shaft 84 and is closed at its front end, Fig. 10, by means of a cap 86 having an aperture 87 in register with aperture 83. The

rear end of tube 85, Fig. 12 is provided with a circumferential flange for the purpose of maintaining the tube in concentric relation to bore 84, the rear end of tube seating j against washer 88. Thepropeller" hub is secured -.to the end of shaft 84 by means ofa cap screw 89 cooperating with threads formed in the endih f bore 84'. Cap screw 89 is 'providedtwith a threaded axial bore" in which engages cap screw 90 which abuts with its inner end cap 86 to hold the latter and tube 85 in proper position. A nut 91 serves to lock cap screw'90 inadjusted position.

receive the members 96 and 97 of a ball bearing assembly constituting a journal hearing for the propeller shaft, members 96 and 97 bein respectivelg held in position by means 0 rings 98 an 99. i

The adjacent vertical faces of ring. and I head 92 support members 100 and 101 of a ball bearing assembly which constitutes the W thrust bearing. Ring 95 .is rigidly secured to casing 94 by means of screws such as I shown at 95. j y

The rear face of head 92,is provided with an annular recess concentric with bore II 84'. This recess communicates by means of an angular passage 104 with bore 84 forward of the flanged head of tube 85. A fitting 105 has a face adapted to contact with the rear face of head 92, this member being provided with a circumferential flange circumscribing the rear margin of head 92 and cooperating an with ring 106 to form a packing g Member 105 is provided with a bore 105' into which a central tubular extension 102 of head .8 92 projects and a packing gland 106*is pro-r vided toefiect a tight fitbetween the extension and bore 105'. Member 105 is provided with a rearward tubular extension 108 concentric with bore 105 and also with an 90 eccentric rearward extension 109 provided with a bore which communicates with an annular recess 1 10 registering with recess 10 3. Extensions- 108 and 109 pass through closely fitting apertures in awall 111 secured with- 95 in casing 94 by means of screws such as. shown at 111', the casing tapering ofi:' rearward of wall 111. Rotation of fitting 105 about extension 108 isprevented bythe' eccentric ex-' tension 109, although axial movement of the 100 fitting relative to wall 111 is permitted. A spring 112 yieldingly urges fitting 105 against head 92.

In practice, the interior of the casing'will be filled with oil, the contacting faces of members 92' and 105 receivin lubricants through ducts 114 and 115. T e escape of the oil from the forward end of the caslngis prevented by a gasket 116. The fluid medium under pressure is supplied to the hol- 11 low stem 108 through a preferably flexible tube 117 which leads from air air pump preferably disposed-in the body-boat.- The air thus supplied passes throughfhead 92, tube 85, apertures 87, 83, 82, recess 7 9andassages 77 and 78 to discharge orifices 80. ir conducted to tubular extensionl09 through pipe 118 flows intov the registering .annulanrecesses 110 and.103, passage 104, bore 84', an

aperture 119 in shaft 84, ans. erture 120 in hub 76, recess 75 and passages 3 and 74'to discharge orifices 80. The transfer boxes 93, as. has been mentioned above,are disposed in streamline housings 10g and rigidly, secured in positi wisehouse tubes 19a and 196. All conduit 30 Q transfer box 134 which is supported in aero} connections and other passages arranged to lead air to horizontal left side propeller 10s are also duplicated preferably in a symmetrical fashion for the same purpose of supplying air to right side propeller 10s.

The.- direct lift propeller 10m will now be described with particular reference to Figs. 1 to 4, 16, 1s and 19.- Referring particularl to Fign' 16, it will be seen that the propel er boss 10n consists of crossed loop-shaped members mounted at their crossed portions on a hollow vertical shaft 125. The lower members of the-loops bear against a shoulder 125, while a nut 126 secures them in position on the shaft. Blades 10prare secured in ferrules 127 integral with the loops and extending radially relatively to shaft 125. The propeller blades ..are securedin position by means of nuts 128 screwed to their stems 129. It will be seen that each blade is supported at an apex of a substantially triangular frame, the OPPO'." site triangular frames forming an integral frame of symmetrical substantially rhomboidal shape, these closed frames having major and minor axes, the propeller blades being in alignment with the major axis, whilethe I rame is supported forrotation about its minor axis. The. described arrangement gives a particularly rigid construction in that the. boss has a large axial extent and supports the blades at a considerable "distance from its rotational axis. As 'shown in Fig. 16, the frame members of the boss are hollow and communicate with longitudinally extending passages 130 and municates with orifices 132 in the leading edge of the blades, while passages 131. communicate with orifices 133 inv the trailing. edges in the same manner as has been described in connection with-propeller 108.

The lower end of shaft 125 is disposed in a foil 11, the latter having a central vertically expanded portion for the accommodation of the box. Shaft 1 25 has an expanded'head135 interiorly of the transfer .box and" forms a thrust member'cooperating with the latter through balls 136. A ball bearing journal support is indicated at 137. The lower face of head 135 is provided with an extension 138 which mates-with a recess formed in the face o f a fitting 139, the extension and recess being are provided with registering annular recesses with the walls of the slots preventsrotation concentric with bore 125 of shaft 125. The

contacting faces of head 135 and member 139 concentric with extension 138' and forming together a tubulaiduct 140. At diametrically opposite points member 139 is provided with arms 141 and 142 which extend through slots formed in the side walls of box 134,these slots extending in the axial direction of shaft 125. The engagement of extensions 141 and 142 -bers, communicates with bla its trunnions and conse ment of shaft'125 in a ore and aft direction. a It'will be noted that the covering of aerofoil 11 is provided with top and bottom-slots to of member 139 relative to box 134; although axial movement is permitted. The lower end of the box is closed by means of a cap 143 and between the latter and member 35 are interposed compression springs 144 which yieldingly urge member 139 against head 135.

Extension 141 has formed therein a passage 141 which through extension 138,-a tube 145 the passages formed in the up er frame memd e passages 130. Extension 142 has a passage 142 communicating with chamber 140-and thence through a municates by means of apertures 147 with the passages ofthe lower frame members of boss lOnand thence. with the blade passages 13 1.

wardly to the blower through. the streamline conduit 121.

i and passages in a block 146in register with a passage 140 with bore 125. Bore 125 com- Box 134, Fig. 18, is provided on diainetri- I cally' opposite sides. .with trunnions 152 and 153 supported in'members 154 and 155 which are mount d between the'front and rear spars 156 and 15 of a'erofoil 11. Oppositely acting torsion springs 152' and 153'tend to maintain shaft 125 in. a constant position relativeto members 154 and 155, thiagposition being vertical whenthe machine is in operation. I

Extending downwardly from cap 143,'Figi 16, is a rod 160 whi' h at itslower end is connectedby means of a link 161 to .a lever 162 pivotally mounted at 163' to a frame 164 dieposed in the pilots compartment. Lever 162 s provided with a handle 163 within easy reach of the pilot and may belocked in adjusted position by means of a threaded stud and nut 165 which cooperate with a slotted. segment 166. -Movement'of handle 163 causes a corresponding movement of box 134 about permit free movement of shaft 125' and rod uently a tilting'move- According to the described arrangements shaft 125 may be adjusted from a vertical position in'which propeller 10m! exerts a. purely vertical force, to a forwardly tilted position in which a forwardly acting resultant is obt'ained. -The-tilti ng movement of box 134 islimited by. means of .an arm. 175

fixed thereto and coop ler'ating with dj'ust able abutments 17 6 and 1 In Fig. 17, I have shown a layout of one form-of an entire propulsion system In this I figure numerals 200 and 201 denote internal combustion engines operating a positive action pump or blower 202 through the intermediary or clutches 200 and 201'. A line- 203 connects the outlet of the blower-with a chamber 204 adapted to be heated by'means.

t as -of'a burner-2055 Chamber 204 communicates by-mean's of-aline 206 with 'a line 207 from which branches 208 and 209 lead respectively tolines 1 17 and 118,- which feed the honzontallv acting pm Here Branches .150'a'nd 151 feed the direct lift pro eller 10m. 7 Byclosin waives 210 and 211, t e air may be passed; irectly through line 212, valve foil beneath said ropeller and. a transfer box for a fluid medi um under pressure and.

including bearing means for said shaft disposed in saidaerofoil.

driven propeller, a rotatable vertical shaft 2. In an" aircraft, a ilire'ct" lift reaction I on' which the propeller is mounted,-an aerofoil beneath said propeller, a transfer-box 213 being open, to line 207. The exhaust of for fluidinedium under presure andincludboth engin line 207 to the propellers.

then led to the propellers.

The layout according to Fig. 20 is generally similar to that of Fig. 17 although accor ing tofthis various combinations are possible throughthe es is led into a 1ine'214 which passes through a heat'exchanger 215 through which likewise passes a line 216, which through an air'expansion chamber or reservoir 217 is'in communication with line 207.,

By opening valve 211 and closing valves 210 I and 213, air from the blower may be passed through the heat'exchanger, the reservoir and figure,.the air may be passed'additionally through a chamber 218 in direct contact with burners 219, both the latter and burners 205 being supplied with fuel from a tank 220. Further, according to this showing,-the exhaust may-'be by-passed through a l blower 221 into line'207. It-is obvious that for fluid medium under pressure and including bearing means for. said shaft disposedin said aerofoil, and mounting means forsaidv 1 box to enable it to tilt to move the shaft rela t1ve said aerofoil out of its normal vertical pos1t10n in a fore and aft direction.

4.'In an aircraft, a direct lift reaction driven ropeller, arotatable vertical shaft on who the propeller is mounted, anaerofoil beneath said propeller, a transfer box" for fluid medium under pressure and including bearing means for said shaft disposed in said aerofoil, trunnions supporting said box for tiltin and aft dlrection, andmeans operable to tilt .said box,

5, Inan aircraft, 'a reaction driven direct 11ft propeller compmsing an open framework pro er mani ulation oft e illustrated valves boss and hollow blades secured thereto, said an it is not 1s necessary.

lieved that further. description p v f -=adapted.- to conduct a fluid medium under V According ton-Fig. 15, two blowers 230 and 231 are provided, each-being driven by an independent internal combustion engine 232 comprlsmg a boss m the form-of a plurality and 233. Blowers 230 and 231 may dis charge directly into lines 234 and 235 and thence to lines 117, 118 150 'and 151 tosupply the propellers. By suitable manipulation of the ;valyes, however, the blowers maybe con nected directly through heated chambers 236 and 237, to lines 117 and 118.- -.Bya further manipulation of the valves, the air from the framework comprising hollow members pressure to said hollowblades.

6. Ii -an aircraft, a direct,

of crossed loop-like frames, a shaft supporting said frames'at their cr'ossed portions, and

blades extending, radially relative to said an aileron hinged to each outrigger, an 8.81'0? foil of relatively short spanabovethebody lift propeller relative to-said aerofoil in-a fore blowers ma be diverte into lines 238 theretdandlto the outriggers a 239 to reservoir 242 and hence through heat irearwardly, extending. outrigger spring ng lines:-

a While I have described my invention with. I Y 1 some particularity, it is to be understood that s an aileron lunged toeach putrigger, an aero- 1 do not intend to" restrict myself except as foil of relatively short span above the body and secured thereto'and to the outrigger's, a rearwardly extending outrigger springing determined in the following claims.

I'claimr from said aerofoil and supporting an empen- 'nage assembly,;a direct lift propellerabove the aerofoil, and a horizontally-acting propeller intermediate the aerofoil and .body. I 8. 'In an aircraft, a body, an outrigger extending laterally from each side of the body;

mediate the-aerofoiland body and symmetrically disposed relative tb the direct pro- CID peller.

:9; In an amphibian, .a body, an-outrigger extending laterally from each side of the body, an aileron hinged to each outrigger, a float secured to each outrigger, an aerofoil of relatively short n abow'ethebody and se-' .oln'ed thereto an "to theoutriggers, a rear wardly extendingv outrigger springing from said aerofoil and su porting an empenna e assembly, a direct hit propeller above t e aerofoil, and a horizontallyactin propeller intermediate the aerofoil and- '10. In an amphibian, abody, an outrigger extending laterally from each side of the body, an aileron Hinged to-each'ontrig er, a floatseoured toeach outrigger, an :aero iil of vrelatively shortspan above the body andsecured thereto and to the outriggers, a rearwardly extending voutrigger spr in 'ng -from said aerofo'ilfa'nd supporting an pennage assembly, .a directJliit propeller above the aerofoil, and 'a plurality of horizontally spaoedhorizontally-acting propellers intermediate the aerofo'rl and body and symmetrically disposed; relative to the direct lift propellet;

11,111 an aircraft, momprisiiig a blade provided with reaction jets adjacent-itsfollowingedgeandietsadjaeent'its' leadingedge-dischargnig over the top of the blade toward its followingedgm-said; blade having *separatepassages therein leading to the respective jets,na substantially 'tr'iangular frame element supporting said blade at an apex, the legs of said frame adjacent said apex being hollow. and communicating respectively with said passages.

1-2. In an aircraft, a reaotionedriven propeller, a blower, a'plurality-ofihternaleombustionengines adapted to drive-said blower geithersinglyorin conjunction, acommon conduit for the exhaust of said engines, and'an airline connecting said blower and propeller and passing in 'heat exc'hanging relation withsaidconduit. i

18. In an aircraft; a reaction-driven propeller, a motor-driven air blower, an exter-, nally heated chamber and an internally heated chamber, and means to connect said'blower and propeller through either of said c'hamhere or through both of said chambers in either'order. 1

1L In an aircraft,-a reaction driven propeller, a blower, an internal combustioneng'ine driving said blower, an externally heated chamber and an internally heated chamber, aard'means to connect said blower and propel- -ler through either of saidchambers or through both ofsaid chambers in either order and in heat+exchanging relation with'theengine exhaust. p

15. In an aircraft, a resdbinn-drivenrpno- PBBQIQQiblOWGD, a plurality obintemal combastion engines adapted to drive said blower either singly or in conjunction, a common conduit for the exhaust of saidengines, an airlineconnecting said 'blower'and Propeller, a second blower driven by one 0 said engines and having an inlet connectible with said conduit, the outlet of said second blower being'connectible witlnsaid line wherebythe exhauiifnses may *lEsil'ljQOtGd into the latter. Signe at College Point, Lon Island, in the county of Queens andZState 0 New York this 21st dmy of December, ,A. D. .1928. IGQB- SI'KOB'SKX.

a direct use propeller a 

